Office of the Historian

210. Telegram From the Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Department of State0

Moscow, February 2, 1962, 6 p.m.

2104. Finnish Embassy officers here understandably reluctant reveal details but confirmed agreement signed concerning purchases of Soviet military equipment by mission headed by Defense Minister Bjorkenheim, who departed for Finland February 1. However, Finnish counselor informed us that: No change in policy involved, as Finns in past have purchased Soviet military equipment; new agreement represents draw-down of about one-third of 1959 Soviet credit of 100 million rubles; equipment includes “some aircraft.”

Soviet press, which has not mentioned signature of any agreement, reported Finnish Mission entertained and escorted by Soviet Defense Ministry officials.

Thompson
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, 660E.61/2–262. Confidential. Repeated to Helsinki and Stockholm.↩